Drew Brees headlines 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Drew Brees (Google Images)

Last month, the Pro Football Hall of Fame made National Football League headlines when it was leaked that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would not be inducted into Canton this year. On Thursday night we found out the five players who would be inducted. Let’s take look at who the inductees are.

Drew Brees

The quarterback from Dallas, Texas quarterbacked the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints from 2001 to 2020. Seven times he led the NFL in passing yards, including a career high with 5476 passing yards in 2011. That same year, Brees had a NFL high 46 touchdowns. Brees was also a Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, and was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times. Brees is second all-time in NFL passing yards (80358) and second all-time in touchdown passes (571).

Roger Craig

The running back/fullback from Preston, Mississippi played 11 NFL seasons from 1983 to 1993 with the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. The four-time Pro Bowler won three Super Bowls in San Francisco, led the NFL with 92 catches in 1985, and 2036 yards from scrimmage in 1988.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

The wide receiver from Minneapolis, Minnesota was selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times. He played his entire NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals from 2004 to 2020. Fitzgerald’s 17492 receiving yards are second all-time. Twice Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions (103 in 2005 and 107 in 2016), and twice Fitzgerald led the NFL in touchdown catches (12 in 2008 and 13 in 2009).

Luke Kuechly

The linebacker from Cincinnati, Ohio played eight seasons in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers from 2012 to 2019. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL twice in tackles (164 in 2012 and 153 in 2014), was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Adam Vinatieri

The kicker from Yankton, South Dakota played 24 seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts from 1996 to 2019. Vinatieri is the all-time leader in field goals made (599). He was a three-time Pro Bowler, and won four Super Bowls.